Popular teacher had passion for outdoors

The 380 Stockton students he taught called him "coach," and his 2-year-old daughter Gianna just started calling him "daddy."

Keith Reid

The 380 Stockton students he taught called him "coach," and his 2-year-old daughter Gianna just started calling him "daddy."

Regardless of his title, Rosa Parks Academy physical education teacher Ruben Hernandez is being remembered in the charter school's community for his love of the outdoors, his zest for life and how much he enjoyed introducing Gianna to his recreational lifestyle.

Hernandez, 37, died Tuesday morning in a cycling accident in Santa Rosa.

"Ruben was an amazing man," said his sister, Margarita Hernandez. "He loved the outdoors with his wife (Elizabeth) and daughter: camping, fishing, going to the lake, boating. He was very recreational."

The oldest of six siblings who grew up in Modesto, Ruben Hernandez was riding his bike on a popular cycling road in Santa Rosa - the Fountaingrove Parkway - when a blue extended-cab pickup struck him on a downhill portion of it at 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper.

The pickup's driver, Adam Bigham, 22, of Sebastopol told police he did not see Hernandez. Police are continuing to investigate the accident, the Press Democrat reported.

The tragic news floored the community of Rosa Parks Academy, an Aspire Public Charter School located at 1930 S. D St.

Aspire Central Valley Area Superintendent Mary Welch, who hired Hernandez when she was principal at Rosa Parks six years ago, said the teacher was known for his ability to relate to children and to "inspire them to connect their mind and body to be healthy and fit, and succeed in everything they do."

Hernandez hosted family fitness days in the community, getting to know families, too, Welch said.

"Rosa Parks lost an amazing teacher," said colleague and fifth-grade teacher Michelle Shackelford. "The kids, they called him 'coach.' And that was a name they called him organically. He didn't ask them to. It's just how they responded to him."

Welch said the school will provide counseling for students who need it when classes resume for the fall semester Monday.

"We have three children that were his students," parent Dan Deuel said.

"You know, he was just a phenomenal man. You might think a PE teacher just does the physical stuff, but he was so much more. He spoke to kids' hearts and minds. I loved how he pushed them and taught them to respect each other and respect those around them," Deuel added.

Margarita Hernandez sad the family has set up a fund with Bank of the West - the Ruben Hernandez Memorial Fund. Anybody who wants to make a donation to the family can do so at any Bank of the West branch.

A memorial service will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Tuolumne River Lodge, 2429 River Road in Modesto.